This paper illustrates the process of erosion and erosion management during the UnderBalanced Drilling (UBD) of a series of gas wells in the Southern North Sea. In this context, tonnes of solids can be brought to the surface in a short time frame and induce erosion sufficient to threaten plant integrity. Preferred units for erosion are therefore mm/tonne of solids produced rather than the traditional units mm/yr derived from corrosion management. This paper presents:

  • the role of an erosion assessment in advance of drilling

  • the practical measures put in place to minimise the risk from erosion (likelihood and consequence)

  • examples of the erosion damage that occurred, and discussion of their likely cause

  • steps implemented (and proposed) to reduce and manage erosion in future

Subject
Materials, Valves, Manifolds, Solids, Flowrate, Reservoirs, Lead, Corrosion losses, Pressure, Wall thickness, Erosion, Electrical resistance probes, Damage
© 2000 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2000
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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